When the power goes out, you probably reach for a flash light—that is, if you can remember where you put it, find your way in the dark, and hope you remembered to change the batteries. Instead, make this DIY light that can be powered by your phone line (which is generally still operational during a power outage).

Instructables user art.z came up with this neat idea for all of us who can never find a flashlight when we need one. Yes, the phone line will power the light even when your power is out and, no, it won't show up on your phone bill. Art.z does warn that this could be illegal in some countries, however, so you should check before you build. If you can and want to build this light, here's what you'll need:

1x Phone wire

1x Box to put everything inside

12x LEDs (3.0V / High Brightness)

1x LM317L or LM317T (Voltage Regulator)

4x IN4007 (Diode)

1x 6.8K ohm resistor

1x 270 ohm resistor

To put it together you're going to need to know how to solder, but despite how it may look the project isn't all that complicated. You're pretty much just assembling a bunch of pieces into a light that art.z's full instructions explain very well.